Editing Vladimir the Great (section)

== Conversion ==
{{main|Conversion of Vladimir the Great}}
[[File:Vasnetsov Bapt Vladimir.jpg|thumb|175px|The Baptism of Saint Prince Vladimir, by [[Viktor Vasnetsov]] (1890)]]

The ''[[Primary Chronicle]]'' reports that in the year 986, missionaries from various peoples representing various religions arrived in Kiev, trying to convert Vladimir to their religion. In 987, after consultation with his [[boyar]]s, Vladimir reportedly sent envoys to study the religions of the various neighboring peoples whose representatives had been urging him to embrace their respective faiths. Although in both stories Vladimir ultimately rejects all options except [[Eastern Christianity]], he hesitates and does not convert.{{sfn|Ostrowski|2006|pp=568–569}}

In 988, having taken the town of [[Chersonesus]] in [[Crimea]], he allegedly boldly negotiated for the hand of emperor [[Basil II]]'s sister, [[Anna Porphyrogenita|Anna]].<ref>''The Earliest Mediaeval Churches of Kiev'', Samuel H. Cross, H. V. Morgilevski and K. J. Conant, '''Speculum''', Vol. 11, No. 4 (Oct., 1936), 479.</ref> Never before had a [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] imperial princess, and one "[[born in the purple]]", married a barbarian, as matrimonial offers of French kings and [[Holy Roman Emperor]]s had been peremptorily rejected. In short, to marry the 27-year-old princess to a pagan Slav seemed impossible. Vladimir was baptized at Chersonesos, however, taking the Christian name of Basil out of compliment to his imperial brother-in-law; the sacrament was followed by his wedding to Anna.

[[Arab]] sources, both Muslim and Christian, present a different story of Vladimir's conversion. [[Yahya of Antioch]], [[al-Rudhrawari]], [[al-Makin]], [[Shams al-Din al-Ansari al-Dimashqi|al-Dimashqi]], and [[ibn al-Athir]] all give essentially the same account.<ref>Ibn al-Athir dates these events to 985 or 986 in his [[The Complete History]]</ref> In 987, [[Bardas Sclerus]] and [[Bardas Phokas the Younger|Bardas Phocas]] revolted against the Byzantine emperor Basil II. Both rebels briefly joined forces, but then Bardas Phocas proclaimed himself emperor on 14 September 987. Basil II turned to the Kievan Rus' for assistance, even though they were considered enemies at that time. Vladimir agreed, in exchange for a marital tie; he also agreed to accept Christianity as his religion and to Christianize his people. When the wedding arrangements were settled, Vladimir dispatched 6,000 troops to the Byzantine Empire, and they helped to put down the revolt.<ref name="Rus">"Rus". ''[[Encyclopaedia of Islam]]''</ref>